Monthly Archives: October 2010

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Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday presents “Invasion of the Giant Pythons”, an investigation of the slithering predators that are slowly taking over Florida’s Everglades National Park and damaging the once protected wildlife refuge.

London’s favorite 21st-Century detective Sherlock Holmes must follow the clues that lead to an underground crime gang to investigate the murder of a banker on Masterpiece Mystery! Presents Sherlock: The Blind Banker at 8 p.m. Sunday.

We Shall Remain: American Experience, a ground-breaking series examining critical moments in U.S. history from the perspective of Native Americans, studies the Trail of Tears, the forced relocation invoked by the U.S. government of the Cherokee tribe that resulted in devastating effects on part 1 at 8 p.m. Monday.

Take a look at the influence and controversy surrounding Shoshone interpreter and negotiator Sacajawea from the perspective of historians and tribal people in the documentary The Spirit of Sacajawea at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Before There Were Parks: Yellowstone and Glacier Through Native Eyes at 10:30 p.m. Monday presents the personal ties and importance of the two national parks to the remainder of America’s endangered indigenous cultures who view them as momentous and sacred sites.

Nova at 7 p.m. Tuesday reveals the secret life of transportation machinery by following one of the thousands of elevator maintenance crews in Manhattan that keep New Yorkers moving up and down every day.

Michael Kirk provides a sobering expose of the realities of American politics, the power of special interest groups and the role of money in policy making through following the Obama administration on Frontline at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Independent Lens presents an entertaining, insightful, and often humorous look at the Hollywood Indian and the ways cinema has crafted the public’s interpretation of North American Natives in “Reel Injun” at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The interconnections between William Kentridge’s life and work, both visually and musically rich, are detailed and presented as he prepares to stage “The Nose” for The Metropolitan Opera in the film William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Secrets of the Dead: The Silver Pharaoh at 7 p.m. Wednesday explores royal tomb of Pharaoh Psusennes I and the mystery behind the identity of the forgotten leader who united a nation in mayhem.

Go behind the scenes and meet the fascinating, wildly diverse Big Apple Circus family as they prepare to embark on their annual 350-performance tour on Circus: First of May at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Austin City Limits veteran Robert Earl Keen and newcomer Hayes Carll deliver southern tracks reflective of their Lone Star roots to the stage on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday.

KLRU’s new series Overheard with Evan Smith, the follow up series to Texas Monthly Talks, features political figures, arts and more at Thursday at 7 p.m.

See the role that public art plays in our lives, learn about the history and transformation of the Rainey Street neighborhood, and capture the essence of crafting in the Austin community on this week’s episode of Downtown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Comedian Steve Martin trades his stand-up routine for a banjo as he performs with the Steep Canyon Rangers on Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by Texan Sarah Jarosz’s unique bluegrass stylings.

Each month, KLRU chooses a program for your family to enjoy together. This month’s Family Choice program isNOVA “Dogs Decoded
Tuesday, November 9th at 7 p.m.

Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and we feel that they can understand us in a way other animals cannot. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. What is surprising, however, is new research showing that humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It’s all in the genes. Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs—with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. NOVA also travels to Siberia, where the mystery of dogs’ domestication is being repeated—in foxes. A 50-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to man’s best friend. “Dogs Decoded” reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs and spurs new questions about what this could mean for our relationships with other animal species.

Turn off the front porch lights and pretend you’re not home, you won’t want any trick-or-treaters interrupting your TV watching this Halloween.

KLRU-Q (channel 18.3) has a special lineup of spooky programs beginning at 6:30 with Haunted Texas. After you explore the ghost sightings in the old Freedman’s Colony outside of Blanco, Texas get ready for a marathon of Secrets of the Dead. Part detective story, part true-life drama, Secrets of the Dead explores some of the most iconic moments in history to debunk myths and shed new light on past events.

Starting at 10 am each Saturday in November, KLRU Create offers viewers themed programming to get you started on various projects. KLRU Create is on channel 18.2 over the air.

November 6: Branching Out
Spend your day creating a masterpiece for your home, from a tree. Get your table saw and join the “Woodsmiths” at their shop as they chop it up. The end result may be a cabinet, a beautiful table or an elegant wet bar for the kitchen.

November 13: A Brief History of Food (with Burt Wolf)
There is little about our favorite subject that is unknown to food and cultural historian Burt Wolf. Today on Create, as he travels through the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the U.S., Wolf tells us the stories of chocolate, wine, sugar, chili peppers, livestock, cheese, coffee, corn, the potato, the tomato….and beyond. So tune in to Create, and get “the 411” on food from the past to the present and around the world!

November 20: Turkey Time
It’s that time of year again … Turkey time! The family is coming over
for a feast, and you’ll be ready with the help of master chefs, Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. Style experts Katie Brown and Christy Rost will be here offering tips to bring a festive look to your dinner table. This Thanksgiving dinner, with all the bells and whistles, will be talked about for years to come!

November 27: Around the World in a Day
The fearless Globe Trekker team is at it again! Ian Wright, Justine Shapiro, and Megan McCormick will keep the pages in your passport filled as we go continent hopping – from Africa to Asia and then Central America. Ancient cultures and the human spirit are all yours to experience and treasure when you go globe trekking!

We’re very happy to announce that the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation has elected to renew their generous support of Overheard with Evan Smith with a $10,000 grant. Previously Texas Monthly Talks, this Lone Star Emmy award-winning production provides viewers with a unique perspective on current affairs. It’s wonderful to continue a partnership with this foundation into our 9th season. On behalf of KLRU board, staff and viewers—thank you!

***UPDATE: Ticket giveaway is now over. Congratulations to our winners!***

KLRU has a commitment to presenting the arts to Austin. As part of this commitment we team up with local arts organizations to bring you programs like In Context: Ballet Austin Hamlet and Conspirare: A Company of Voices. We also bring you the best of performance art from PBS with Great Performances and Live from Lincoln Center.

Botanica transports you to a fantasy world of surreal images and childlike wonder brought to life by a cast of dancer-illusionists. Set to an eclectic score that ranges from birdsong to Vivaldi, Botanica reveals nature’s changing imagery in MOMIX’s signature illusionary style. Using large-scale puppets, projected imagery, and larger-than-life props designed by Michael Curry (The Lion King), MOMIX evokes a vivid landscape populated by Pendleton’s whimsical, fertile, and mythical imagination.

Join KLRU and the Austin Public Library for free Community Cinema screenings on the first Tuesday of the month at the Windsor Park Branch Library (5833 Westminster Dr,). Screenings will start at 7 p.m. with a discussion to follow each of the films. November’s film is Deep Down on Tuesday, November 2.

Deep in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, Beverly May and Terry Ratliff find themselves at the center of a contentious community battle over a proposed mountaintop removal coalmine.

Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday presents “A Murder of Crows”, an exploration of the vast intellectual and social capacities of crows through captivating new footage and interviews from bird experts around the world in attempt to transform their spooky reputation.

London’s beloved detective Sherlock Holmes must use the science of deduction to investigate the murder of an unidentified woman dressed in pink on Masterpiece Mystery! Presents Sherlock: A Study in Pink at 8 p.m. Sunday.

American Experience: We Shall Remain, a ground-breaking five-part series examining critical moments in U.S. history from the perspective of Native Americans, investigates the relations and conflicts between post-Mayflower English colonists and the Natives at 8 p.m. Monday.

Nova at 7 p.m. Tuesday pieces together crucial events that led to the tragedy of Flight 447 to provide a forensic view of what caused the disappearance over the Atlantic Ocean and loss of all 228 lives.

Martin Smith investigates the dubious past of BP through interviews with current and former employees and executives, leading to the query of whether or not the Gulf disaster could have been prevented on Frontline at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Secrets of the Dead: Herculaneum Uncovered at 7 p.m. Wednesday explores revealing insights through new archeological digs that may explain the mysterious events surrounding the volcanic eruption of Pompeii.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents contemporary renditions of Bernard Rands’ Danza Petrificada and Luigi Cherubini’s Requiem in C Minor at the inauguration of the symphony’s 10th music director Riccardo Muti on this week’s Great Performances at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Austin rocker Alejandro Escovedo delivers tracks from his most recent LP Street Songs of Love on Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 9 p.m. Friday, followed by Trombone Shorty’s unique fusion of New Orleans-based jazz and funk rock.

See the sights that lie within the Austin History Center, enjoy downtown on a dime, and ride along the Republic of Texas Biker Rally on this week’s episode of Downtown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

KLRU’s new series Overheard with Evan Smith, the follow up series to Texas Monthly Talks, features political figures, arts and more at Thursday at 7 p.m.

Austin City Limits at 7 p.m. Saturday features Texas singer/songwriters with Robert Earl Keen and Hayes Carll.

The Cain Foundation has a long history of generously funding children’s programming at KLRU. They have just decided to renew their support of Sesame Street with a grant of $7,500 — we’re very grateful for their ongoing dedication and thrilled that they’ve decided to stay on as part of the KLRU family!